the cheeriest blooms
bring the sun
out of hiding
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham Continue reading
A BOOK BY THE BROOK — Ada Lovelace and the Thinking Machine
Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
— William Shakespeare
Warning, more geekery here! I was fascinated to read Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine, by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by April Chu, Creston Books, 2015. It confirms what I’ve always suspected: Girls Rock!! Continue reading
Strength in Contrast
purple and yellow
delicate spires and broad leaves
but contrast succeeds
when we are free to disagree,
we make each other stronger
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham Continue reading
Peony Petals
sun-filled petals,
scalloped and scented,
soft as new baby’s skin
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham Continue reading
A Book by the Brook — It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk
Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
— William Shakespeare
If you love books pulsing with voice, that magical quality that brings characters to life, you’ll love It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk, by Josh Funk, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor, Two Lions, 2017. Continue reading
Firecracker Red
firecracker red roses
bring back sangria-sweetened
hot afternoons
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham Continue reading
A Book by the Brook — a house that once was
Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
— William Shakespeare
Finally an author explores an impulse I’ve had: to explore an abandoned house. Julie Fogliano’s new book, A House That Once Was, illustrated by the phenomenal Lane Smith, is that book with stellar imagination and vivid color-magic! It makes me remember such a house in rural, Kudzu-draped North Carolina and another stripped of color by the salty, Maine air.
I wanted to explore an abandoned barn, far in Northern Michigan when I was a kid, but my father told me the floorboards might be rotten. That makes it all the more magical to see this in a book — no risk of life or limb! Having always wanted to go inside…
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: What is more magical than possibility and wonder?
Truth to Power
She cannot give her name.
She cannot give her address
for fear ICE will come Continue reading
Bread-Oven Sun
when the bread-oven sun
summer-bakes the earth
still the rain will fall, cooling
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham Continue reading
Girls Gather
girls gather
on swings, flying high
laughter on the wind
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham Continue reading
A Book by the Brook — Grace Hopper
Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.
— William Shakespeare
Warning, geek alert! My geek flag flies high in my love of Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu, Sterling Children’s Books, 2017. Continue reading
Message from a Rock Wall
be the flower
growing in dry spaces,
roots dug deep Continue reading
